What to do in Caerphilly

Activities, attractions and tours

This 13th-century island castle is a fun visit despite its dark and gloomy exterior. The castle is important for having introduced concentric defences to Britain, as well as being a filming location for several episodes of Doctor Who.
This 13th-century island castle is a fun visit despite its dark and gloomy exterior. The castle is important for having introduced concentric defences to Britain, as well as being a filming location for several episodes of Doctor Who.
Crooked tower
When you walk around Caerphilly Castle you have nice views on the village itself and the surrounding hills. Really worth going there!
Striking to see this semi-restored castle smack bang in the middle of town.
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Top places to visit

1. Principality Stadium

Watch national and international sporting events, see musical legends perform and go behind the scenes at the Principality Stadium. This is the national stadium of Wales, a 74,500-seat venue that is the home of the Welsh national rugby team.
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Millennium Stadium featuring a river or creek and modern architecture

2. Brecon Beacons National Park

Brecon Beacons National Park is an expanse of immeasurable natural beauty. Rugged mountain ranges spill down to valleys while limestone caves and dramatic waterfalls highlight a landscape of flower-filled meadows, forests and grassy hills. Brecon Beacons National Park is a paradise for biking, hiking, horseback riding and touring on canals. Discover more than 250 ancient monuments, villages crowned by castles and designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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Brecon Beacons National Park which includes rainforest, a waterfall and a lake or waterhole

3. Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle is a medieval stronghold and Victorian Gothic mansion with approximately 2,000 years’ worth of history. The magnificent structure was built on the site of a Roman fort and a Norman castle and during its existence also served as a home, a concert venue and a World War II shelter.
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Cardiff Castle showing heritage architecture, château or palace and heritage elements

4. Barry Island Beach

Sun worshippers have been flocking here since Victorian times to what is essentially a small island, though joined now to the mainland since 1896 by a small pier. The site of a Butlins holiday camp during the 1960’s, Barry Beach is perfect for families, with its signature calling card being Barry Island Pleasure Park. Come here for crowds, candy floss and sticks of rock, the scream of the rollercoaster and the thump of the dodgems.
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Aerial panorama of Barry Island, Wales, UK

5. Cardiff University

One of the UK’s major teaching and research universities, in its 2014 University Guide the Sunday Times described Cardiff as “the acknowledged leader of higher education in Wales”. The previous year it hailed it as a “powerhouse of academic and research excellence”.
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Main building of Cardiff University - Wales; Shutterstock ID 289260233; purchase_order: Comps; job: ; client: ; other:

6. Caerphilly Castle

The second distinctive feature is the system of defences, built in large part surrounded by a system of large artificial lakes. Caerphilly Castle was originally constructed in the 13th Century, which makes the engineering behind the construction of the dams and sluice gates required to create the water defences even more impressive.
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This castle is amazing. A must see! And Caerphilly is an excellent place all around.

What to do in Caerphilly

Popular places to visit

Millennium Stadium featuring a river or creek and modern architecture

Principality Stadium

4.5/5(198 reviews)

Follow in the footsteps of sporting and musical greats when you tour this vast sporting arena. Walk on the pitch, see dressing rooms and lift a trophy.

Principality Stadium
Pierhead Building, a Grade One listed building of the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff Bay, Wales. A Cardiff's landmark taken from Cardiff Bay.

Cardiff Bay

4.5/5(190 reviews)

Explore the waterfront in Cardiff with a trip to Cardiff Bay. Discover the lively bars and acclaimed theatre scene in this relaxing area.

Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Castle showing heritage architecture, château or palace and heritage elements

Cardiff Castle

4.5/5(251 reviews)

A fortified tower from the 12th century, World War II tunnels and Welsh military history make a fascinating day out at this magnificent castle.

Cardiff Castle
Barry, South Wales. Vale of Glamorgan. UK

Barry Island Beach

4/5(76 reviews)

If you’re looking for a quintessential Welsh seaside experience, look no further than Barry Beach in the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan.

Barry Island Beach
Main building of Cardiff University - Wales; Shutterstock ID 289260233; purchase_order: Comps; job: ; client: ; other:

Cardiff University

4/5(44 reviews)

Founded by Royal Charter in 1883 and located in the heart of the thriving Welsh capital, Cardiff University has built an international reputation for the quality of its work.

Cardiff University
D6WYKM Aerial photograph of the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Utilita Arena Cardiff

4.5/5(59 reviews)

Cardiff Motorpoint Arena is located on Mary Ann Street in the heart of Cardiff. It was opened in 1993 and is the largest purpose-built facility for staging exhibitions and concerts in South Wales.

Utilita Arena Cardiff
Wales Millennium Centre which includes modern architecture, street scenes and signage

Wales Millennium Centre

4.5/5(210 reviews)

Book your tickets for theater, opera, dance and comedy shows and go on a backstage tour at this prestigious arts venue.

Wales Millennium Centre
Tintern Abbey featuring château or palace, a church or cathedral and religious elements

Tintern Abbey

4.5/5(26 reviews)

Tour the ruins of an ancient monastery where Cistercian monks used to live, pray and study. See the remains of their former dwellings and church.

Tintern Abbey
Bute Park featuring heritage architecture, château or palace and heritage elements

Bute Park

5/5(4 reviews)

Take a calming stroll through Cardiff’s Bute Park. Follow the trails, explore the remains of a medieval friary and admire the horticulture and wildlife.

Bute Park

Day trip destinations from Caerphilly

Cardiff which includes street scenes, a city and night scenes

Cardiff

Railtour at Pontypridd. UK Railtours brought a pair of class 66 locomotives, Nos. 66011 and 66116, in top-and-tail formation, to South Wales on their Valley Legend railtour. The tour visited the Ebbw Vale and Tower Colliery branches, and is seen here passing through Pontypridd on its return from Tower.
Photo by Gareth James (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Pontypridd

Frequently asked questions

Is Caerphilly worth visiting?
Whether you're coming to experience the cultural attractions and local charm or try regional foods and go on outdoor adventures, there are plenty of things to do in Caerphilly.
How do I spend a day in Caerphilly?
Cardiff Castle and Cardiff Bay Waterfront are two good places to start your sightseeing adventures. Be sure to explore the shopping and dining options in Caerphilly while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Caerphilly?
You can't go home without checking out Cardiff Castle, ranked the top tourist attraction in Caerphilly.
Is three days enough to stay in Caerphilly?
Three days in Caerphilly is plenty of time to enjoy the city's major highlights. Many travellers book for two days on average. Castell Coch, Insole Court and St. Fagan's Castle are among the top-rated sights. Like to see more? Hang around a while longer to visit nearby hotspots such as Cardiff.
Is Caerphilly a walkable city?
That depends on what you plan to see and do in Caerphilly. Several top attractions, such as Castell Coch and Ogmore Castle, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Caerphilly's neighbourhoods, Tongwynlais is 5 kilometers away from downtown, while Van is 2 kilometers away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Caerphilly with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with young explorers or adventure-seeking teens, a fun-filled itinerary is the key to a stress-free getaway. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Caerphilly with kids.

What to do in Caerphilly for adults?
Whether you're an avid foodie, culture enthusiast or outdoor adventurer, there are loads of things to do in Caerphilly for adults including Cardiff City Hall and The Senedd.
Are there free things to do in Caerphilly?
One of the top ways to learn about free things to do in Caerphilly is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on vibrant neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can visit without taking your wallet out. St. Fagan's Castle is one sight that doesn't charge an admission fee.